On Sunday, March 31st, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to his X handle to shed light on how the Congress party purportedly ceded the Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka during the tenure of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The Prime Minister referenced a news report from the Times of India, which stated that an RTI reply revealed the transfer of this 1.9 square-kilometre island, located about 20 km from the Indian shore, to Sri Lanka.
In his post, PM Narendra Modi expressed astonishment and dismay, stating, “Eye-opening and startling! New facts reveal how Congress callously gave away Katchatheevu. This has angered every Indian and reaffirmed in people’s minds—we can’t ever trust Congress! Weakening India’s unity, integrity, and interests has been Congress’ way of working for 75 years and counting.”
Eye opening and startling!
New facts reveal how Congress callously gave away #Katchatheevu.
This has angered every Indian and reaffirmed in people’s minds- we can’t ever trust Congress!
Weakening India’s unity, integrity and interests has been Congress’ way of working for…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 31, 2024
The Katchatheevu Island, situated within the India-Sri Lanka border near Rameswaram, has become a subject of contention, sparking demands for its repossession. Historically, the island has served as a shared enclave for Tamil fishermen from both India and Sri Lanka. The pivotal moment came in 1974 when then-Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi relinquished sovereignty over the island to Sri Lanka as part of a bilateral agreement.
According to the news report shared by Modi, the RTI application in question was filed by Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai. Shocking revelations emerged from the reply to this RTI application, detailing how India’s wavering stance led to its failure to assert control over the island in the Palk Strait. The report highlights Congress’ reluctance towards claiming Katchatheevu, tracing back to the Nehruvian era.
The documents also shed light on Sri Lanka’s assertion of sovereignty over the island shortly after gaining independence. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s memorandum, dated May 10, 1961, downplayed the matter, expressing willingness to relinquish India’s claims. The legal complexities surrounding the issue remained unresolved, with conflicting opinions from legal experts.
The documents underscored India’s ongoing struggle to secure fishing rights for its fishermen, who frequently face detention by the Sri Lankan Navy in the waters surrounding Katchatheevu. This issue is poised to play a significant role in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu.
The discourse surrounding Katchatheevu island resurfaced on August 10, 2023, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary address in response to an opposition no-confidence motion. The Prime Minister’s recent post highlights new details about the island obtained through an RTI filed by K Annamalai.
The Katchatheevu Island, situated along the India-Sri Lanka border near Rameswaram, has become a contentious issue, sparking calls for its repossession. Historically, the island has served as a shared enclave for Tamil fishermen from both India and Sri Lanka.
A pivotal moment occurred in 1974 when then-Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi relinquished sovereignty over the island to Sri Lanka as part of a bilateral agreement. An accord was signed between Indira Gandhi and Sri Lankan President Shrimavo Bandaranaike, resulting in the island’s integration under Sri Lankan jurisdiction. However, this transfer sparked demands within India for its reinstatement.
In 1991, the Tamil Nadu Assembly adopted a resolution demanding sovereignty over the island. This issue gained prominence again in 2008 when the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Jayalalithaa, challenged the matter before the Supreme Court, seeking to annul the island agreement.
The history of Katchatheevu Island dates back to the 14th century when it emerged following a volcanic upheaval. Throughout British rule, the island was shared by both India and Sri Lanka, leading to ongoing disputes over its ownership. Despite assertions of claims by both nations in 1921, the ownership dispute persisted.
From 1974 to 1976, the two countries formalised the Maritime Boundary Agreement, defining the international maritime boundary and restricting Indian fishermen’s access to Katchatheevu Island. However, Indian fishermen continued to venture into Sri Lankan waters for fishing activities.
In 2009, Sri Lanka heightened security along the maritime border to prevent a resurgence of Tamil rebels. Following the conflict’s conclusion in 2010, Sri Lankan fishermen began asserting sovereignty over the island, marking a shift in the region’s security dynamics.
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